Family implements malaria prevention techniques
Yakassé Féyassé, Côte d’Ivoire
Mrs. Akassi Kouassi, a mother of three children, is married to a cocoa farmer and lives in Yakassé Féyassé in Eastern Côte d’Ivoire. Like the majority of people in her community, Mrs. Kouassi believed that malaria was caused by palm oil consumption or excessive sun exposure.
Malaria is a major health issue in Côte d’Ivoire. According to the 2006 National Program for Malaria Control Report, malaria was the third leading cause of death in Côte d’Ivoire in 2002. Using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) is key method of prevention, particularly for highly vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children under five years of age. However, the same report found that bed net use was low – only 27% of households surveyed used bed nets and only 7% of those were insecticide-treated.
Mrs. Kouassi’s community is participating in the Sustainable Tree Crops Program. The Farmer Field School facilitator working with the community was trained in the HIV/AIDS and malaria modules. Mrs. Kouassi attended sessions on these topics with her husband.
“At the Farmer Field School, I learned that there are mosquitoes that transmit malaria. Besides, the facilitator also informed us that in the health center, ITN are distributed for free to pregnant women and children under five years old. I received two ITNs for my two younger children, who are three and one. The whole family currently uses these ITNs,” said Mrs. Kouassi. She added that she has encouraged all of her friends and relatives to attend the Farmer Field School sessions for their health and wellness.
“I thank the initiators of the project. Today, I can assert that we gained on both health and cocoa production levels,” said Mrs. Kouassi as she reflected on the benefits of Farmer Field Schools.
WCF thanks Family Health International for contributing this story.
Read about Building and Strengthening Health and Wellness Activities for the Sustainable Tree Crops Program in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana